GRAMINACRjK. 451 



52. ELYMUS. Linn. Ly me Grass. 



(From &VHDS, a name given by the Greeks to the panic-grasses, because they 

 grew abundantly about hlyma, in Greece. Hook. Fl. Br.) 



Spikelets 2 or more at each joint of the rachis, 2 7-flow- 

 ered, the upper flowers imperfect. Glumes 2, nearly equal, 

 subulate, rarely 1 or wanting. Paleae 2, lanceolate, subcoria- 

 ceous ; the lower one usually awned. Spike simple. 



1. E. Virginicus Linn.: spike erect, dense; spikelets in pairs. 2 3- 

 flowered, the flowers nearly smooth ; glumes lanceolate, nerved, as long as 

 the spikelets. 



Banks of streams. N. Y. and Mass, to Geor. W. to Mich, and Ark. July, 

 Aug. %. Culm 3 4 feet high, smooth. Leaves broad-linear, flat, scabrous, 

 deep green. Spike 3 5 inches long, stiffly erect, thick. 



Virginian Lyme-grass. Wild Rye. 



2. E. Canadensis Linn.: spike rather spreading, nodding at the ex- 

 tremity ; spikelets in pairs, 3 5-flowered ; flowers hairy ; glumes lanceo- 

 late-subulate, awned, conspicuously nerved. E. glaucifolius and Philadel- 

 phicus Willd. 



River banks. Subarct. Amer. to Del. W. to Miss. Aug. %. Root creep- 

 ing. Culm 3 4 feet high, erect. Leaves broad- linear, flat, somewhat rough. 

 Spike 6 8 inches long, at length nodding. Canadian Lyme-grass. 



3. E. villosus Muhl. : spike loose, somewhat nodding ; rachis and flow- 

 ers hispid-pilose ; spikelets mostly in pairs, 1 3-flowered ; glumes linear, 

 hairy-ciliate, 2 3-nerved. E. ciliatus Muhl. 



Banks of streams. N. Y. and Mass, to Virg. July. ^.Culm 23 feet 

 high, rather slender, smooth. Leaves lanceolate, somewhat pubescent above ; 

 the lower sheaths hairy. Spike 2 3 inches long, at length spreading and some- 

 what nodding. Hairy Lyme-grass. 



4. E. Hystri.v Linn.: spike erect; spikelets in pairs or ternate, distant, 

 diverging, about 3-flowered ; flowers awned ; glumes minute or wanting. 



Rocky woods. Can. to Car. W. to Miss. July. <$.. Culm 24 feet high, 

 erect, smooth. Leaves broad-linear, flat, often glaucous. Spike 4 6 inches 

 long, at length spreading so as to resemble an apothecary's bottle washer. 



Bottle-brush Grass. 



5. E. strialus Willd. : spike erect ; spikelets in pairs, 2-flowered, awned, 

 hispid ; glumes linear, nerved, awned, nearly as long as the spikelets. 



Shady woods. Mass, and N. Y. to Virg. W. to Mich, and Ark. June. ^ 

 Culm 8 inches high, erect, striate. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, rough 

 above, sheaths smooth. Spike somewhat spreading, the rachis pubescent. 



Striated Lyme-grass. 



53. HORDEUM. Linn. Barley. 

 (An ancient Latin name, the origin of which is doubtful.) 



Spikelets 3 at each joint of the rachis, the lateral ones often 

 abortive, each 1 -flowered, with a subulate rudiment of a second 

 flower. Glumes 2, ne*arly equal, collateral, lance-linear, flat, 

 awned. Paleae 2, the lower with a long awn ; the upper 2- 

 keeled, obtuse Spike simple. 



